Collection box with sealed and statically charged mail chute

ABSTRACT

A system and method for substantially eliminating the release of pathogen agents circulating in the air within a collection box. The mail deposit openings ( 12, 14 ) of a collection box mail chute ( 16 ) are adapted with gaskets ( 18, 20 ) to form an airtight seal when the mail chute ( 16 ) is opened and closed, thereby isolating the collection box interior ( 26 ). An alternative embodiment can further include charging means ( 32 ) and a chargeable material ( 34 ) to attract and detain airborne and free pathogen particles that enter the mail chute passage ( 22 ) either by newly deposited mail pieces ( 38 ) or airborne pathogen particles that migrated from within the collection box collection area ( 26 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application60/372,467 filed on Apr. 12, 2002, which is herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to the containment of hazardousmaterial in an enclosure, and, more particularly to the attraction anddetainment of pathogen agents disposed in or on mail pieces or airbornepathogen particles in a collection box.

[0003] The possibility of using postal services or delivery services torelease pathogen agents has been demonstrated. Unsuspecting recipientscan be harmed by the release of such pathogen agents. Equally at riskare those handling the mail pieces or the packages to be delivered.There appears to be no current security devices or procedures that areavailable to intercept such mail pieces at the earliest source ofintroduction into the delivery system, for example at the collection boxor post office drop box.

[0004] Mail collection boxes commonly found on street corners pose apotential risk to mail carriers and customers. Once a singlecontaminated mail piece enters the collection box, all mail piecesdeposited can be exposed to particles of contamination that have beenreleased from the mail piece into the surrounding air. Thereby, mailcarriers can be exposed to airborne pathogen particles when they performtheir duties of picking up the mail. Therefore, it is desirable toreduce or preferably capture and retain airborne particles of pathogenagents from collection box atmosphere including the mail tub andchamber.

[0005] Additionally, airborne pathogen particles pose a risk tocustomers each time they open a mail slot of the mailbox to depositmail. The opening and closing of the mail slot causes air to circulatewithin the collection box. Air circulation could agitate the pathogenagents laying dormant in the mail tub or affixed to the walls, floor, orother internal components of a collection box and agitate these airborneparticles already in the collection box atmosphere. The dormant pathogenparticles may become loose and float freely in the air circulatingwithin the collection box and migrate to the collection box mail chute,thereafter pathogen agents can be released into the outside environmentin the presence of the customer. Therefore, it is desirable tosubstantially eliminate the release of pathogen agents circulating inthe air within a collection box through the collection box chute to theoutside atmosphere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, the mail deposit opening(s)of a collection box mail chute are adapted with gaskets to form anairtight seal when the mail chute is opened and closed, therebyisolating the collection box interior and contents from outsideatmosphere. The gaskets are made of material with good elastic andcompressive properties and conventionally attached to the mail chute.

[0007] Additionally, a further embodiment of the invention provides thecollection box mail chute with charging means and statically chargeablematerial(s) to attract and detain airborne pathogen particles prior tomail pieces being dropped into the collection box interior. The chargingmeans are operatively connected to a mail inlet cover of the collectionbox, such that when the inlet cover is closed or opened the chargingmeans are activated. The charge generated by the charging means is usedto statically charge the surface of a chargeable material. In oneembodiment, the charging means include triboelectric charging means. Inanother embodiment, the charging means include a voltage source andelectrodes. Pathogen agents contain opposite charged particles that aredrawn to the statically charged surface of the chargeable material forappropriate disposal. The collection box is grounded to assure mailcarriers and customers are not shocked while dropping off mail orperforming duties of retrieving the mail.

[0008] For a better understanding of the present invention, togetherwith other and further objects thereof, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings and detailed description and its scope will bepointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of a collectionbox of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the above embodiment of thepresent invention shown in the operational configuration capable ofreceiving mail;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0012]FIG. 4a is a block diagram of an electrical sub-system of oneembodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 4b is another block diagram of the electrical sub-system ofone embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 5a is a sectional side view of a portion of anotherembodiment of the present invention illustrating one embodiment of theactivation of charging means;

[0015]FIG. 5b is a sectional side view of a portion of anotherembodiment of the present invention illustrating another embodiment ofthe activation of charging means;

[0016]FIG. 5c is a sectional side view of a portion of anotherembodiment of the present invention illustrating yet another embodimentof the activation of charging means;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of a conventional collection boxadapted with a dehumidifier to maintain dry air in the collection box;and

[0018]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the electricalcircuit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] A system and method for substantially eliminating the release ofpathogen agents circulating in the air within a collection box isdescribed herein below.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, inlet mail deposit opening 12 andoutlet mail deposit opening 14 of a rotating collection box mail chute16 are adapted with inlet 18 and outlet 20 gaskets to form a seal whenthe mail chute 16 is opened and/or closed, thereby isolating thecollection box collection area 26 and contents from the outsideatmosphere 24. Airflow is restricted from migrating out of the mailchute 16 either into the outside environment 24 or into the collectionbox collection area 26.

[0021] In the closed position A, as illustrated in FIG. 1, thecollection box internal air can migrate about the mail chute passage 22due to air circulation caused by inherent leaks from seams, bolts andrivets of the collection box and by the fanning effect generated by themail chute 16 being opened and closed. It is possible that pathogenparticles deposited in or on mail pieces or pathogen particles that havesettled on surfaces of the collection box collection area 26 will becomeairborne as a result of the drafts, fanning and turbulence and migrateinto the mail chute passage 22. However, the airborne pathogen particlescannot leak out of the mail chute passage 22 because inlet gasket 18seals the leakage path between the mail chute 16, a front transitionliner 28, and a mid transition liner 29 or the like.

[0022] In the open position B, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the collectionbox internal air cannot migrate into the mail chute passage 22 becauseoutlet gasket 20 seals the leakage path between the mail chute 16 and anaft transition liner 30, and a mid transition liner 29 or the like.

[0023] The gaskets 18, 20 are made of conventional gasket material withgood elastic and compressive properties and conventionally attached tothe mail chute 16 adjacent respective openings 12, 14. As shown in FIG.2, openings 12 align with opening 19 in collection box 50.

[0024] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the method for isolating mailitems in the collection box of this invention can be described asfollows. The mail chute 16 is pivotally mounted within the collectionbox thereby allowing for rotational movement. By rotating the mail chute16, the input end (inlet mail deposit opening) 12 of the mail chute 16is substantially aligned with the opening 19 in the collection box 50.In one embodiment of the present invention, the mail chute 16 isoperably connected to means for covering the opening 19 in thecollection box 50, such as the mail inlet cover 42. In the embodiment inwhich the mail chute 16 is operably connected to the mail inlet cover42, when the cover 42 is opened, the mail chute 16 is rotated so thatthe input end 12 of the mail chute 16 aligned with the opening 19,thereby being able to receive mail items through the input end 12 fromthe opening 19 (see FIG. 1). When the mail chute 16 is rotated so thatthe input end 12 of the mail chute 16 aligned with the opening 19, theoutput end (outlet mail deposit opening) 14 of the mail chute 16 issubstantially sealed due to the contact between the sealing gaskets 20and the aft transition liner 30, thereby isolating the exterior 24 ofthe collection box 50 from the mail items previously collected anddeposited in the collection area 26.

[0025] In the embodiment in which the mail chute 16 is operablyconnected to the mail inlet cover 42, when the cover 42 is closed, themail chute 16 is rotated so that the input end 12 of the mail chute 16moves away from the opening 19 and the output end 14 moves to a positionthat enables mail to be deposited from the mail chute passage 22 to thecollection area 26. As the is rotated so that the input end 12 of themail chute 16 moves away from the opening 19, the input end 12 is sealeddue to the contact between the sealing gaskets 18 and the fronttransition liner 28(see FIG. 2). Due to the rotation that moves theinput end 12 away from the opening 19, the output end 14 is unsealedsince the outlet gasket 20 is moved away from being in complete contactwith the aft transition liner 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the mail items canbe deposited in the collection area 26. Again, the exterior 24 of thecollection box 50 from the mail items previously collected and depositedin the collection area 26. It should be noted that, as the input end 19moves from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position in which theinput end 12 is aligned with the opening 19, as shown in FIG. 1, theinput end 12 goes from a sealed condition to an unsealed condition.

[0026] Now turning to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the presentinvention can further include electrical charging means 32 and astatically chargeable material 34 to attract and detain airbornepathogen particles 36 that enter the mail chute passage 22 either bynewly deposited mail pieces 38 or airborne pathogen particles thatmigrated from within the collection box collection area 26, as discussedabove. As illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4 b, electrical charging means 32are operatively connected to a door switch 40 preferably attached to themail chute 16 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In another embodiment, theelectrical charging means 32 are mechanically operably connected to themail chute 16. In the embodiment in which the electrical charging means32 are mechanically operably connected to the mail chute 16, operationof the mail chute 16 causes operation of the charging means 32.Electrical charging means can be contact charging mechanisms or caninclude a static generator and a power source. In the embodimentincluding the static generator, the static generator is powered by apower source 44 (shown in FIG. 4b). Power source 44 is a power sourcesuch as, but not limited to, a DC source such as a battery, an AC sourceand a power supply, an AC source or a solar powered (photo-voltaic) DCsource.

[0027] Referring again to FIG. 3, it should be noted that embodiments ofthe present invention including a mail chute 16 with charging means 32,whether the mail chute 16 is moveable or non-moveable and whether themail chute 16 is sealable or non-sealable, are within the scope of thisinvention. Although an internal chute 16 is shown in FIG. 3, anembodiment with an external chute is also within the scope of thepresent invention. If the chute 16 is external to the collection box 50,the output end is aligned with the opening 19 in order to allow passageof mail items into the collection area 26. If the chute 16 is internalto the collection box 50,as shown in FIG. 3, the input end is alignedwith the opening 19 in order to allow passage of mail items into thecollection area 26. The charging means 32, in one embodiment, areoperably connected to the mail inlet cover 42. The operable connectionbetween the mail inlet cover 42 and the charging means can beelectrical, as via the door switch 40, or mechanical.

[0028] The door switch 40 can be physically positioned at any locationand in any conventional manner to the static or rotating components ofthe collection box 50. The key factor in determining location is whetherto activate -the static generator (charging means) 32 when the mailchute 16 is opened or closed. Embodiments of the door switch 40 mayinclude a toggle-like switch positioned on the static components of thecollection box 50, such as the front transition liner 28, aft transitionliner 30, or collection box 50. Other embodiments may include a limitswitch 40 positioned on the rotating components of the collection box50, such as the mail chute 16 to sense angular change. In any of theabove-mentioned door switch embodiments, the rotation of the mail chute16 will activate and deactivate the charging means 32. However, thepreferred location is at the inlet mail deposit opening 12 mounted tothe mail chute interior walls 48, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Thecharging means 32 can be activated when the mail chute 16 is rotated toa predetermined angle. The charging means 32 can be deactivated when themail chute 16 returns to its resting position or, preferably, after apredetermined time.

[0029]FIGS. 5a, 5 b depict embodiments in which the charging means 32include contact charging mechanisms. Referring to FIG. 5a, the materialscomprising sector section 62 and 64 are selected from opposite ends ofthe triboelectric series (see, for example,http://www.amasci.com/emotor/tribo.txt). For example, the material ofnegative polarity, such as a slightly conductive polymer, is used insector section 64 and the material of positive polarity, such as nylonor glass, is used in sector section 62. The material of negativepolarity should have sufficient retention properties including highsurface resistivity, such as 10¹⁵ Ohms @ 20° C. and 50% humidity, thatreduces leakage and allows for retention of voltage or charge, and a lowdielectric constant that allows for high surface charge. The sectorsection 62 and 64 are brought in contact and not grounded. (The sectorsection 62 and 64 could be brought into contact by a spring actioninitiated upon activation.) When the mail chute 16 is rotated to apredetermined angle, the sector section 62 and 64 are no longer incontact or oppositely disposed and become charged. When the mail chute16 returns to its resting position or, preferably, after a predeterminedtime, sector section 62 and 64 return back to the position shown in FIG.5a and the charging means 32 can be deactivated by grounding the sectorsection 62 and 64.

[0030] Another embodiment in which the charging means 32 include contactcharging mechanisms is shown in FIG. 5b. Referring to FIG. 5b, thematerials comprising sector section 66 and 68 are selected from oppositeends of the triboelectric series. For example, the material of negativepolarity is used in sector section 68 and the material of positivepolarity is used in sector section 66. The material of negative polarityshould have sufficient retention properties including high surfaceresistivity, such as 10¹⁵ Ohms @ 20° C. and 50% humidity, that reducesleakage and allows for retention of voltage or charge, and a lowdielectric constant that allows for high surface charge. The sectorsection 66 and 68 are brought in contact and not grounded. (The sectorsection 62 and 64 could be brought into contact by a spring or solenoidaction initiated upon activation.) When the mail chute 16 is rotated toa predetermined angle, the sector section 66 and 68 are no longer incontact or oppositely disposed and become charged. When the mail chute16 returns to its resting position or, preferably, after a predeterminedtime, sector section 66 and 68 return back to the position shown in FIG.5b and the charging means 32 can be deactivated by grounding the sectorsection 66 and 68.

[0031] A further embodiment of charging means 32, shown in FIG. 5c,include electrodes 74, 76 and the voltage source 78. Referring to FIG.5c, electrodes 74 and 76 when connected to voltage source 78 produce anelectric field substantially perpendicular to the surface of theelectrodes 74 and 76. Electrodes 74, 76 have sufficient surface area toeffectively collect charged pathogens. The material used for electrodes74, 76 include conductive materials and dielectrics with a conductivebacking. The voltage 78 and distance between the electrodes 74 and 76(or the geometry of the electrodes) is selected so that the biologicalagents are held by the electric field but such that avalanche breakdownof the ambient gas does not occur. Such designs are known in the art(see, for example, S. C. Brown, Basic Data of Plasma Physics, M.I.T.Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1961, pp. 268-274). The actual voltage requiredis determined by the shape of the electrode, the distance betweenelectrodes, the composition (elements and density) of the ambient gas.

[0032] It should be noted that other embodiments of the charging meanscould be used, For example, a system similar to that of U.S. Pat. No.3,935,517 (issued to J. F. O'Brien on Jan. 27, 1976) could be used. Thedevice of patent '517 has to be adapted to the conditions of nonconstant speed of the chargeable material 34. The chargeable material 34would include, in this embodiment, a dielectric with a conductivebacking. The speed of the chargeable material 34, in this embodiment, isnot constant since the chargeable material 34 moves past the chargingroller (the charging roller being as described in '317) as the mailchute 16 is rotated.

[0033] In yet another embodiment of the charging means (not shown), acorona charging system is utilized to charge the chargeable material 34.The chargeable material 34 would include, in this embodiment, adielectric with a conductive backing. The corona charging systemincludes a corona electrode, another electrode that incorporates thechargeable material 34 and voltage source 44. Corona charging ofdielectrics has been used in xerography and is also in web coatingtechnology (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,215 to K. M. Oliphantissued on May 31, 1966 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,151 to Zaretsky issued onJun. 4, 2002). The corona electrode moves over the chargeable material34 as the mail chute 16 is rotated.

[0034] Returning to FIGS. 4a and 4 b, charging means 32 are activatedwhen mail chute 16 is opened and/or closed. (The mail chute 16 is in anopen position when the input end 12 is aligned with the opening 19.) Thecharging means 32 are preferably activated when mail chute 16 is closed,as illustrated in FIGS. 5a, 5 b. The charging means 32 statically chargethe surface of the chargeable material 34. The nature and composition ofthe chargeable material 34 depend on the embodiment of the chargingmeans.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4b, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5c, inwhich charging means 32, includes electrodes 74, 76 and the voltagesource 44, the voltage source 44, preferably DC, provides energy topower the charging means 32. Voltage source 44 can include a DC source,an AC source and power supply, or a photovoltaic array (a solar poweredvoltage source). Charging means 32 are activated when mail chute 16 isopened and/or closed. FIG. 4b also applies to the embodiment similar tothat of U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,517.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment includes adehumidifier 46, having a drain tube 47, incorporated into thecollection box 50 to dry the air for a higher charge and greaterretention of the static charge on the conductive material 34. Thedehumidifier 46 reduces humidity that impacts surface leakage and,therefore, the amount of charge on a surface.

[0037] Now returning to FIG. 5a, 5 b, 5 c, the materials comprisingsector section 62 and 64, materials comprising sector section 66 and 68,and electrodes 74, 76 are embodiments of the chargeable material 34.Charged pathogen agents are drawn to the oppositely charged chargeablematerial 34. Therefore, pathogen particles that are airborne anddispersed on local surfaces, such as mail pieces 38 and mail chuteinterior walls 48, will be attracted to chargeable material 34 andsubstantially removed from the mail chute passage 22. Chargeablematerial 34 can be periodically replaced by hazardous materialspecialists for appropriate disposal. The collection box 50 is groundedto assure mail carriers are not shocked during performing their dutiesof picking up the mail.

[0038] The chargeable material 34 can be placed in any location withinthe mail chute 16 or near the inlet mail deposit opening 12. Nowreturning to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the present invention, such asthat shown in FIG. 5a, places the charging means 32 and chargeablematerial 34 about the pivot point P of the mail chute 16. A mail piece38 enters the inlet mail deposit opening 12 and passes the chargeablematerial 34 such that charged pathogen particles on the mail piece 38 ormail chute interior walls 48 are drawn to the oppositely chargedchargeable material 34. The attractive properties or strength of thechargeable material 34 can be adjusted by design in the embodiments ofFIGS. 5a, 5 b, or by increasing the intensity of the voltage source 44to accommodate the placement of the chargeable material 34.

[0039] Now returning to FIGS. 4a, 4 b, an alternative embodiment caninclude a timer 52 that will deactivate the charging means 32 after apredetermined period. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5a and 5 b,deactivation includes grounding sector section 62 and 64 or groundingsector section 66 and 68. In the embodiment of FIG. 5c and similarembodiments, deactivation includes disabling the connection between thevoltage source 44 and electrodes 74, 76. Alternatively, referring toFIG. 4b, the timer 52 can be programmed to periodically turn on and offto clear the air in the mail chute 16 and reduce the possible plume ofairborne pathogen particles that may be released if the collection box50 had not been used for an extended period.

[0040] Yet a further alternative embodiment, related to the embodimentshown in FIG. 5c or the embodiment similar to that of U.S. Pat. No.3,935,517 or the corona charging embodiment, includes a voltmeter 54connected to the chargeable material 34, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Thevoltmeter 54 monitors the static charge of the chargeable material 34.(Measuring charge by measuring voltage is an indirect measurement. Itshould be noted that, if the capacitance is known, the charge equalscapacitance times the voltage.) When the charge drops below a lowthreshold predetermined level the voltage source 44 is switched on, viaswitch 56, to energize the charging means 32 and recharge the chargeablematerial 34 to a higher level than the predetermined threshold level. Itshould be noted that switch 56 could be the same switch as door switch40. The timer 52 will deactivate the charging means 32 after apredetermined period. The periodic recharging of the conductive material34 prevents pathogen particles from being released from the conductivematerial 34 and freely floating within the mail chute passage 22 toeventually settle on the mail chute walls 48.

[0041] It should be noted that other embodiments in which the chargingmeans 32 include triboelectric means are possible in addition to thosedisclosed in FIGS. 5a, 5 b. For example, the chargeable materials 34could be placed near the inlet opening 12 of mail chute 16. When themail chute 16 is rotated, the appropriately selected chargeablematerials 34 will move out of contact and become charged.

[0042] It should noted that although in the above disclosed embodiments,grounding and grounding means have been disclosed without details,conventional grounding methods and grounding means can be utilized.Exemplary grounding means are grounding straps, connections to a groundconductor, connections to a system ground. Exemplary grounding methodsinclude, but are not limited to, connecting to a system ground or aground connector.

[0043] It should also be noted that, in the embodiment in which the mailchute 16 is operably connected to the mail inlet cover 42, the operableconnection between the mail chute 16 and the mail inlet cover 42 can beestablished by conventional mechanical or electromechanical means.

[0044] Although the invention has been described with respect to variousembodiments, it should be realized this invention is also capable of awide variety of further and other embodiments within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A collection box comprising: a container havingan outer surface, an inner chamber and an opening located in a firstpreselected portion of said container; a chute-like element moveablymounted within said inner chamber, said chute-like element having aninput end and an output end; said input end capable of receiving itemsthrough said opening when aligned with said opening; said output endcapable of permitting the items to pass therethrough into a preselectedportion of said inner chamber, said chute-like element permittingtransport of the items from said input end to said output end when saidchute-like element is moved into a preselected position; and sealingmeans for sealing said input end of said chute-like element with respectto said opening and for sealing said output end of said chute-likeelement based upon the movement of said chute-like element; whereby,upon movement of said chute-like element to a position when said inputend is aligned with said opening, said output end is sealed from saidinner chamber, and upon movement of said chute-like element to aposition when said output end is no longer sealed, said input end issealed from said opening.
 2. The collection box as defined in claim 1wherein said chute-like element is pivotally mounted within saidcontainer for rotational movement with respect to said inner chamber;whereby said input end is capable, in one angular position of rotation,of receiving the items from said opening, and said output end iscapable, in another angular position of rotation, of delivering itemsinto said second preselected portion of said container.
 3. Thecollection box of claim 1 further comprising: means for covering saidopening, said means operably connected to the chute-like element.
 4. Thecollection box of claim 1 further comprising: means for electricallycharging a portion of the chute-like element; means for electricallygrounding the container; and, means for electrically grounding thepreselected portion of the inner chamber.
 5. The collection box of claim4 further comprising: means for dehumidifying the inner chamber.
 6. Thecollection box of claim 4 further comprising: means for measuring anapplied voltage utilized for charging the portion of the chute-likeelement; and means for restoring said applied voltage to a previouslevel.
 7. The collection box of claim 4 further comprising: a timer andswitch mechanism for deactivating said electrically charging means. 8.The collection box of claim 4 further comprising: means for energizingsaid charging means upon movement of the chute-like element into apreselected position.
 9. The collection box of claim 4 furthercomprising: means for energizing said charging means upon substantialalignment of said open end with said opening.
 10. The collection box ofclaim 4 wherein the charging means comprise triboelectric chargingmeans,
 11. The collection box of claim 4 wherein the charging meanscomprise a voltage source and two electrodes.
 12. The mailbox of claim11 wherein the voltage source is selected from the group consisting of aDC source, an AC source, a photovoltaic source.
 13. A method forisolating items in a collection box comprising the steps of: aligning aninput end of a chute-like element with an opening, said opening locatedin a preselected portion of a container in a collection box; sealing anoutput end of the chute-like element when the input end is aligned withthe opening; receiving, in the chute-like element, at least one itemintroduced through said opening; moving the chute-like element into apreselected position; sealing, after moving the chute-like element intoa preselected position, the input end; unsealing, after moving thechute-like element into a preselected position, the output end; wherebythe item is deposited within the collection box.
 14. The method of claim13 further comprising the step of: electrically charging an innersurface area in said chute-like element.
 15. The method of claim 14wherein the step of electrically charging said inner surface area occursupon moving the chute-like element into a preselected position.
 16. Themethod of claim 14 wherein the step of electrically charging said innersurface area occurs upon aligning said input end with said opening. 17.The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of: dehumidifying anambient atmosphere inside said inner chamber.
 18. The method of claim 14further comprising the steps of: measuring an applied voltage utilizedfor charging the inner surface area; and restoring said applied voltageto a previous level.
 19. The method of claim 14 further comprising thestep of: deactivating said electrical charging after a given timeperiod.
 20. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of electricallycharging said inner surface area further comprises the steps of:bringing two materials into contact, said materials being selected fromopposite ends of a triboelectric series; placing said materials out ofcontact; whereby said two materials acquire a charge upon being broughtout of contact.
 21. The method of claim 14 wherein the step ofelectrically charging said inner surface area further comprises the stepof: applying a voltage between two electrodes, one of said twoelectrodes including said inner surface area.
 22. The method of claim 13further comprising the step of: unsealing the input end of thechute-like element when the input end is aligned with the opening, ifthe input end was previously sealed.
 23. A collection box comprising: acontainer having an outer surface, an inner chamber and an openinglocated in a first preselected portion of said container; said openingbeing capable of allowing physical access into a preselected portion ofsaid inner chamber by means of a chute-like element; said chute-likeelement having an input end and an output end; said input end capable ofreceiving items through said opening; said output end capable ofpermitting the items to pass therethrough into said preselected portionof said inner chamber; means for electrically charging a portion of thechute-like element; means for electrically grounding the container;whereby, upon electrically charging of said portion of said chute-likeelement, said charged portion is capable of collecting charged airborneparticles.
 24. The collection box of claim 1 further comprising: meansfor covering said opening, said means operably connected to chargingmeans.
 25. The collection box of claim 1 wherein said input end isaligned with said opening.
 26. The collection box of claim 1 whereinsaid output end is aligned with said opening.
 27. The collection box ofclaim 1 further comprising: means for electrically grounding thepreselected portion of the inner chamber.
 28. The collection box ofclaim 1 further comprising: means for dehumidifying the inner chamber.29. The collection box of claim 1 further comprising: means formeasuring an applied voltage utilized for charging the portion of thechute-like element; and means for restoring said applied voltage to aprevious level.
 30. The collection box of claim 1 further comprising: atimer and switch mechanism for deactivating said electrically chargingmeans.
 31. The collection box of claim 1 further comprising: means forenergizing said charging means upon opening said covering means.
 32. Thecollection box of claim 4 further comprising: means for energizing saidcharging means upon closing said covering means.
 33. The collection boxof claim 1 wherein the charging means comprise triboelectric chargingmeans.
 34. The collection box of claim 4 wherein the charging meanscomprise a voltage source and two electrodes.
 35. The mailbox of claim11 wherein the voltage source is selected from the group consisting of aDC source, an AC source, a photovoltaic source.